Relaxed, rugged, low maintenance and easy for travel and adventure—this is style that I have tried to adopt over the years for casual wear. Wearing bespoke suits everyday for work are my usual uniform 5 days a week. Perhaps without a tie these days that I am not in court. Simple and nothing much for me to decide each day.
But when not wearing a suit, I spend my time chasing bird dogs, riding fast horses, climbing mountains, or waving a stick in a stream, sometimes creates a vacuum in my closet for what to select for days requiring something a bit more formal than a sport coat but for when you want more than a t-shirt and jeans. In the past, I usually opted for preppy, Polo Ralph Lauren bits, Brooks Brothers button downs, khaki pants, etc., which were the foundation of my first 25 years on the planet spent in school. Lately, we spend a lot of time in Western jeans, cowboy boots, cowboy hats, wild rags, etc., as it is convenient to our lifestyle here in the Rocky Mountains surrounded by horses. But for town, I have always favored a bit more British town and country looks, with a French flair from my trips abroad. For spectating at polo events, we often go for a more dressed up preppy style.
My buddy Brian over at C. Woodcock & Co., has a great style for travel and adventure. He mises vintage Willis & Geiger, Abercrombie and Fitch, Le Laboureur (French workman’s coats), and lots of other thrift store finds, with field wear such as Russell Moccasin boots, Hemingway bits, NATO straps, etc. Suffice it to say we have a lot in common. And, he is inspiring me to take a close look at my styles. And Brian used to peddle gear and clothing, but now there is not a weekly email with something new that he was working on from Hemingway leather vests to world war surplus military belts that he customized with Navajo conchos and the like. It was inspiring to say the least.
Brian says: At some point over the past 5 years, this style became my basic daily look when I’m on the road. It’s timeless in that it looks as current today as it did in the 1920s. It’s wash and wear, wrinkled is fine, and as it becomes frayed, it looks even better. It’s a classic “do-it-all” adventure look that works in many climates and situations. I start with a chambray cotton shirt, I drop my leather fringe or a tweed vest on that, and top the whole thing off with my an unstructured herringbone cotton workman’s jacket. Down below my equator I wear a pair of cotton canvas workman’s pants and a 2.75″ wide leather garrison belt with a brass buckle. Connecting me to the earth are leather boots, cowboy, field moccasin, or an English field boot will work. I accessorize with a bandana tied at the neck or a long cotton scarf depending on the weather. Linen shirt, white jeans, and NATO watch strap are all by @sidmashburn . I’ve really become a fan of Sid over the past 2 years, particularly with his trousers. Trousers have long been a weak point in my wardrobe and his cuts fit. Win! Add in an 80 year old M-43 jacket from @aacamomart, my grandfather’s signet ring, and an a cotton scarf inherited in South Africa post 2010 Wikileak “Cablegate” bug out, and there you go.
For me, I have never been a big thrift store person. However, collecting items that are no longer available and that are still the best is always something that I have liked. it often involves a t-shirt or polo shirt layered with an untucked button down oxford or light chambray or linen shirt, some suede loafers, blue suede adidas, tan chukka boots, brown hushpuppies or the like, coupled with jeans, linen pants, or khakis, topped with a great sweater or Le Chameau field coat or Willis and Geiger items, a NATO strapped Rolex, a few favorite Navajo bracelets to pick from, and of course, Ray Bans for the sun at our high altitude.
